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As seen in the August 2025 issue of Model Aviation.
AMA Snapshot: Jim Alman
AMA Snapshots are designed to tell short stories of AMA members, clubs, events, and more, to share the impact of model aviation.
A recent AMA Snapshot, at https://amablog.modelaircraft.org/blog/ama-member-snapshot-jim-alman, focused on AMA member Jim Alman. Jim, who spent 30 years as an FAA-designated engineer in aircraft structures and is now the vice president of engineering at Cirrus Aviation, credits model aviation with being a big influence on his career. He was also featured in 2024 in a YouTube video from Explore Minnesota about living, working, and partaking in the hobby in that state: www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqn6oZ-A3CU.
We would love to share your story in AMA Snapshots as well! Visit www.modelaircraft.org/membersnapshot to learn more about how to submit yours. It’s easy; just send us two photos, along with a brief description, and we’ll do the rest! More snapshots can be viewed at www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10158833890512734&type=3.
TAG Grant Application Process Opens October 1!
Would your club like to introduce model aviation to friends and neighbors and receive local recognition and financial benefits in return? If you answered yes, you’ll want to learn more about AMA’s Take off And Grow (TAG) Grant. This year, the AMA Foundation will open the TAG Grant application process on October 1.
Implemented in 2007, TAG was developed to encourage AMA members and clubs to promote aeromodeling as a positive recreational activity to those in their communities. Clubs awarded this grant receive up to $1,000 to put toward a one-day extensive introduction to model aviation, with the intent of drawing new people into the hobby. As a bonus, any items purchased by clubs for their TAG event are theirs to keep! Consider this AMA’s way of showing appreciation for helping us grow the hobby.
To assist your club with introducing the hobby of model aviation to your community and to help us take our hobby to new heights, submit your application by visiting https://modelaircraft.secure-platform.com/a/page/grants/takeoffandgrowgrant
Reader Converts the B-17F
In his "Small-Field Flying" column this month, starting on page 48, Pat Tritle showcases Stan Burak and his 60-inch wingspan electric-powered B-17F, which was converted to a turboprop variant that was used as fire bomber. Stan started with Pat’s B-17F design and plans that were featured in the March 2024 issue of Model Aviation.
Construct your own World War II bomber—or upgrade it, as Stan did—by reading "Build the B-17F" at www.modelaviation.com/content/build-b-17f. Plans are free to download as PDFs or can be ordered as four hard-copy sheets through the AMA Plans Service as plans number 1141 for $40 at https://plans.modelaircraft.org/product/b-17f-memphis-belle.
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